16.10.2025
India signified on Thursday it would continue buy Russian oil and gas to “safeguard the interests of the Indian consumer in a volatile energy scenario.”
This is coming on the heels of statement made by US President Donald Trump who claimed that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had “agreed” in conversation to halt purchases of Russian oil, calling the decision “a big stop.”
“India is a significant importer of oil and gas. It has been our consistent priority to safeguard the interests of the Indian consumer in a volatile energy scenario. Our import policies are guided entirely by this objective,” Randhir Jaiswal, spokesman for India’s Ministry of External Affairs, said in response to Trump’s comments
“Ensuring stable energy prices and secured supplies have been the twin goals of our energy policy,” he added.
Trump has imposed 50% tariffs on Indian imports, partly for purchases of Russian oil amid the ongoing Ukraine war.
Jaiswal said New Delhi is “broad-basing” energy sourcing and “diversifying as appropriate to meet market conditions.”
On the US, he added, “we have for many years sought to expand our energy procurement” and this has “steadily progressed in the last decade.”
“The current (Trump) administration has shown interest in deepening energy cooperation with India. Discussions are ongoing,” said Jaiswal.
Russia remains India’s single-largest source of oil, accounting for 34 per cent of inbound shipments in Sept, although volumes have slipped 10 per cent in the first eight months of 2025, according to commodities and shipping markets tracker Kpler.
Russian oil tanker heading for India.